The Measurement of Normal Talus in Korean Cadaver / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the measured values of the talus in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured 88 tali from 44 cadavers that have been donated between December 2012 and December 2015. Of the cadavers, 27 were male and 17 were female. Their mean age was 73 years. The length and width of the talus were measured using a digital goniometer and vernier caliper. RESULTS: The values of cadaveric measurement, mean maximal width and length, width and length of the dome anterior, width and length of the posterior facet, height and length of the trochlear medial facet, and height and length of the trochlear lateral facet were 43.6±2.6 mm, 56.5±3.3 mm, 32.5±2.0 mm, 42.2±2.7 mm, 22.2±2.2 mm, 34.7±2.0 mm, 15.3±1.3 mm, 33.3±2.9 mm, 25.3±3.3 mm, and 30.8±2.4 mm for men and 38.9±1.6 mm, 53.6±2.4 mm, 27.9±2.1 mm, 37.4±3.2 mm, 20.6±0.8 mm, 31.9±1.2 mm, 13.6±2.6 mm, 28.4±2.5mm, 24.9±2.1 mm, and 28.9µ1.4 mm for women, respectively. The size of the talus showed an accuracy of 86% when anteroposterior diameter was greater than 59 mm. A difference in the size of the right and left talus was not observed. The mean inclination and declination angles were 24.4°±4.2° and 28.2°±5.4° for men, and 24.6°±3.6° and 24.7°±6.7° for women (p=0.980, p=0.018), respectively, at least 15°, which showed a big difference for every object up to 37°. CONCLUSION: This paper, to the best of our knowledge, is the first study to measure the talus in Koreans. There were differences by gender and ethnicity in the in measured talus values. The measurements were smaller than European-Americans and greater than Japanese.

Infiltrating Epidural Angiolipoma Involving Lumbar Spine / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We report on an unusual case with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma. Most spinal angiolipomas involve the thoracic spine and infiltrating ones are also located mainly at the thoracic levels rather than lumbar lesion. In particular, there are few cases of lumbar extradural infiltrating type spinal angiolipoma. One case is that of a 52-year-old female with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma involving lumbar 4 (L4) vertebra, who underwent a L4-5 laminectomy and surgical removal of the tumor. We achieved satisfactory results with surgical treatment of the patient. Spinal angiolipoma has a benign course with a good postoperative outcome.

Arthroscopic Assessment of Intra-Articular Lesion after Surgery for Rotational Ankle Fracture

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report findings of exploratory arthroscopic assessment performed in conjunction with removal of internal fixation device placed in the initial surgery for rotational ankle fracture. METHODS: A total of 53 patients (33 male, 20 female) who underwent surgery for rotational ankle fracture between November 2002 and February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients gave consent to the exploratory arthroscopic surgery for the removal of internal fixation devices placed in the initial surgery. Lauge-Hansen classification system of ankle fractures was assessed for all patients. Intra-articular lesions (osteochondral lesion, loose body, and fibrosis) were evaluated via ankle arthroscopy. Comparative analysis was then performed between radiological classification of ankle fracture/patient's symptoms and arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: Lauge-Hansen classification system of ankle fractures included supination-external rotation type (n = 35), pronation-external rotation type (n = 9), and pronation-abduction type (n = 9). A total of 33 patients exhibited symptoms of pain or discomfort while walking whereas 20 exhibited no symptoms. Arthroscopic findings included abnormal findings around the syndesmosis area (n = 35), intra-articular fibrosis (n = 51), osteochondral lesions of the talus (n = 33), loose bodies (n = 6), synovitis (n = 13), and anterior bony impingement syndrome (n = 3). Intra-articular fibrosis was seen in 31 of symptomatic patients (93.9%). Pain or discomfort with activity caused by soft tissue impingement with meniscus-like intra-articular fibrosis were found in 19 patients. There was statistical significance (p = 0.02) between symptoms (pain and discomfort) and the findings of meniscus-like fibrosis compared to the group without any symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic examination combined with treatment of intra-articular fibrosis arising from ankle fracture surgery may help improve surgical outcomes.